Final
Bruins hope to build win streak against Islanders
Mar 3, 2012 - 3:12 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Bruins haven't posted consecutive victories in nearly two months, but the defending Stanley Cup champions have an excellent chance to end that trend when it hosts the New York Islanders today at TD Garden.The Bruins, who are leading the Northeast Division by three points over Ottawa, last won two in a row when it defeated Winnipeg and Montreal on Jan. 10 and 12, respectively. Boston has been on a roller coaster since, going 10-10-2 over its last 22 contests.
However, after winning Thursday's home test in overtime against New Jersey, the B's welcome the Islanders, a team that Boston has dominated in recent years. Boston has won three straight, six of seven and 13 of the last 16 overall meetings with the Islanders and New York has also dropped three in a row and nine of its last 10 tilts in Beantown.
The Bruins are 2-0 against the Isles this year, posting a 6-2 home win on Nov. 7 and recording a 6-0 victory at Nassau Coliseum on Nov. 19. Boston has scored six goals or more in four of its last 11 tests in this series.
Boston is coming off a 4-3 win over the Devils thanks in large part to a terrific offensive performance by David Krejci, who recorded his second career hat trick to spark the Bruins to victory. Krejci scored the first goal of the game just 1:13 into the opening period. He then tallied at 5:30 of the third period to knot the score at 3-3 and ended the contest with the OT winner at 2:59 of the extra session.
Krejci's game-winner came with a little bit of luck, as a pass from behind the net by Patrice Bergeron was slowed down by Zdeno Chara, who was unable to get a shot off. However, Krejci was backing up the play in the slot and he wristed it home for the win.
"I got a little lucky on that one," said Krejci. "He (Chara) tried to jam it and it got by him. I was just in the right place at the right time."
Tyler Seguin also had a goal and an assist for the Bruins, while Tim Thomas turned aside 28 shots for the win.
Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference suffered a lower-body injury in the win over the Devils and is questionable for today's contest. Fellow blueliner Johnny Boychuk has sat out the last two games with what has been called a mild concussion and is considered day-to-day.
Boston, which is completing a three-game homestand today, is 19-11-2 as the host this season.
The Islanders, who are nine points out of a playoff spot in the East, have lost three straight and five of their last six games. New York last played on Thursday in Philadelphia and was handed a 6-3 setback by the Flyers.
Josh Bailey tallied twice and Kyle Okposo once for the Islanders, while Evgeni Nabokov was shelled for five goals on 29 shots in defeat.
New York is closing a four-game road trip this afternoon and has lost five straight as the guest. The Isles are just 12-15-4 away from home this season.
- NEW YORK: 3
BOSTON: 2
Final
Mar 3 3:41 PM - NEW YORK: 2
BOSTON: 1
End of 2nd
Mar 3 2:42 PM - NY Islanders Power-Play Goal - Matt Moulson (28), at 15:35.
Islanders 2, Bruins 1 2nd - 4:25Mar 3 2:34 PM - NEW YORK: 1
BOSTON: 1
End of 1st
Mar 3 1:47 PM - NEW YORK: 0
BOSTON: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Mar 3 1:09 PM
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